Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Originally Posted by phaedrus900

Hi guys,

Following from the discussion, above, please find a draft study timetable I set up as a (very) rough guide for how you might want to approach study these holidays. This is tailored to the way I learn obviously, so please disregard the following observations if you are different:

1. Only 2-3 subjects per week: I find that I can't follow too many trains of thought deeply at once. This intensified at uni, so now I would only study 2 max. Here, I have opted for an approach of 2 focus subjects, and a lighter, more cursory/introductory approach to the third subject (economics - reading and overviews only).

2. Detailed description of tasks: : As above, I don't just say '2 hours of maths' or 'probability', but aim to complete specific set tasks. (NB: always complete something, never finish half way - you want to be training your brain to achieve)
2.1: Where tasks not detailed, prescribe yourself hours: Where the goal is necessarily vaguer, such as completing a skeleton draft for an AoS, I set hours. Otherwise, if I hit road blocks it's too easy to give up. If I set hours, even if I don't progress much, at least I know I have dedicated sufficient time. Then, when I come fresh the next day, things might fall into place quickly (as they often do, when you have laid appropriate ground work)/.

3. Scheduled big events and school regulars : Anything that changes your daily free ability to execute tasks needs to be incorporated, realistically. Pretending you are going to get up after an 18th and clock your usual 8 hours or whatever is obviously unrealistic. Take breaks and make sure they are pencilled in. You need breaks anyway, and life will provide them with good events. If you know they are coming up, they are rewards to work towards. Likewise, with bottom of schedule, timely activities such as sports training etc which disrupt an otherwise free night need to be accounted for and worked around. Hopefully, unlike me, you don't lose your whole Saturday to cricket lol, but no doubt you have other commitments to account for.

4. Distribution of work: One thing I got really good over time was distributing my work load efficiently to set up rewards for achievement. You might notice that there is a subtle increase in workload leading up to events like 'COAST' or days off where you will be taking a break and having a great time. When you start off a week or from a break, it is unrealistic that you will do as much as when you have the momentum of a few days of work behind you. By building up to your biggest days right before breaks/parties etc, you will achieve quite a bit more and enjoy your time off.

5. Balance: As I said in (1), I try to balance more intensive subjects or high level tasks (e.g. trying to put together an essay much more exhausting than just rolling through maths exercises, even if it takes less actual hours). Subjects like economics, physics, chem etc are often more suited to consistent, relaxed effort. Whereas English, History etc might reward intense bursts of well-planned and resourced efforts to complete tasks, then a break.

Balance obviously extends broader than your subjects, but to your actual life as well. That's something only you can figure out.

Again, the most important part of planning for study is to make it suit YOU. Whatever your habits, preferences and upcoming events are, you can make something really effective for yourself if you put in appropriate, HONEST (as above), thought. Don't let anyone else tell you what or how to do your work; it's a genuine pleasure executing a really effective, tailored plan. So make that your priority.

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Originally Posted by phaedrus900

Hi guys,

There is a lot of garbage out there about English, how its moderated and marked, what you need to do, what you need to read etc. The colleges are incredibly cynical and waste your time and money with formulaic 'syllabuses' and more stuff like school.

They are, however, right about one thing: English is crucial if you want a good HSC. So many of my friends got 98+ for physics, maths and chemistry only to lose 1-5 ATAR points for a terrible English mark. The worst thing is, it's easily avoided. There is a reason that all the James Ruse kids smash English; its a system, you just need to know how it works.

This is where I come in. As well as a natural aptitude for English which I have carried through university studies (maintaining a high average in both Philosophy and Law at Usyd) I quickly learnt how to beat the English system, what the pitfalls were, and how to guide myself through it without reading endless books and theories (you still have other subjects to study for). I actually ended up enjoying it! I have tutored over 50 students of all natural skill levels now to top Band results.

I also offer specialist tutoring for Eng Ext 2 which is vital because there is a lot you need to do to ensure your MW is considered properly.

If you are interested in beating the system, working smart not hard, and having practical, experience English tutoring, PM me or call on 0405836941.

Thanks and good luck!
Dave

EDIT (15/4/2016) Please scroll to see below FAQs and further detail on free trials, marking etc

1. I only tutor online. This is for various reasons, most particularly because of the style of tutoring I find most effective for students and enjoy. Which leads me to..
2. Although I tailor my approach to each student's needs and abilities, I generally follow a certain model. This model is: Each week one paid session, with follow up editing/marking reviews.

The typical form this takes will be that a student may work with me on an assessment - in the session we will discuss texts, model answers, pitfalls, particular anxieties and then set up a plan (very important for anxiety levels, and proper execution of everything discussed). Then the student will submit that work to me during the week for review/marking and editing.

Many students have asked me if I tutor in person, and whether I tutor differently to these models. Online is non-negotiable. While I am willing to help anyone, so will consider any reasonable request, I find that sporadic/intermittent and irregular sessions (usually in a panicked state before an assessment) are not conducive to good results, learning or anything genuine. Therefore:

3. Given this and my already fairly replete calendar, I am currently only taking regular students.

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

I don't know Dave's middle name but I think it's Legendary. This man saved my hsc.

For all of 2016 I neglected English as it seemed rather ambiguous compared to my other subjects. It was 7 days until the HSC & I still had no decent/completed essays... But luckily I found Dave. He explained things extremely clearly to me and actually gave so much personalised feedback that it could've been an essay in it self haha! He's also very understanding & stayed up till the early mornings stressing out with me. Bless his soul omg :')

My rank in school wasn't pretty good either and I was honestly expecting a band 4 in Advanced English. However, thanks to Dave I got a band 6!!!!!!! I beat the system & beat everyone else above me. This guy is def worth it!!

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

This year I was incredibly lucky to have Dave as my tutor for Ext 2. Our lessons were conducted via weekly Skype calls (which worked super well for those used to face to face tutoring) and he was with me from the point of idea formulation to the final hand-in.

With his patience and insight I can honestly say that his guidance and easygoingness went above that of my own class teacher's and I have no idea how the work would have turned out without him.

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Thanks so much for the post/feedback - loved helping to craft your project and working through your challenging, valuable insights about society and where we are at. Really proud of the final product too - hope you enjoy your time off!

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Hi all,

This - http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/...udents/8248500 - is a MUST listen for anyone currently stressed with the HSC, their ATAR and possible future. Hope it helps (and also these anecdotes are very in line with what I have observed, as I have said earlier in this and similar threads)

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Hey all,

It's been a while so I thought I might post. Also, a student last week asked me an excellent question which got me thinking a bit about a good way to help students develop their ability to argue well and construct more insightful, sharp theses. Although the question was specifically on Mod A, this is very much useful for all the Modules and Extension English, and thesis writing generally. Note though that for AoS, because the requirements are less onerous - that is, you are being compared with advanced - a simpler, straight up and down response to the question is best.

Tutee: How do I discuss context and form for Mod A in a meaningful way? Am I able to define/rework the scope of the essay, or must I just take my cue entirely from the question?

Answer: This is a great question, both specifically and in broader application. Specifically, it encapsulates the most challenging aspect - and therefore the biggest differentiator markswise - in Module A. More broadly, as above, it leads us directly to the secretof top level essay, argument craft.

Starting with the specifics - Module A attempts to emulate a common university level English task - to compare several texts with a common theme, context and/or genre to produce some overarching literary insight. This mirrors the 'empirical' style of analysis in academia which attempts to use a significant sample size of evidence to draw conclusions of broader application. the Module highlights the fact that literary works are not created from a vacuum - they draw from and reflect the social, political, historical milieu from which they come. The difficulty with this Module is the incredible constraints of writing within the given time frame. To adequately compare this context, alongside the textual evidence you are required to offer, you need a lot more space than you are given. Therefore, even band 6 essays are rarely effective pieces of work; they merely do the best job possible of answering the syllabus and criteria within the time frame.

So what, then, do you do to achieve the best Mod A within these constraints?

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Hello all!

I am very excited to announce that after a long time in the making and some serendipity - meeting a terrific, like-minded business partner - I will soon be launching the website for our new business. The focus, like this thread, is more holistic than just a simple transactional exchange of knowledge. We want to empower you with the understanding that you can actually master these ways of thinking and expression so that you can be in control of your message and put yourself out there. Being able to communicate, feeling confident in your ability to learn and express yourself, and being empowered in an education and, eventually, professional context is a wonderful thing. We truly believe that everyone deserves that opportunity, and we will soon be walking the walk! Watch this space
Dave

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

Hi all - bit of a bump - I continued tutoring last year, but demand was too high so I put website on backburner. It is currently under development, but if you require tutoring in the interim or marking and advice, please call on 0405836941 or email me at davidbloomfieldgrad@gmail.com.

Re: English Tutoring - Why you need me

This guy is really brilliant - he explains things clearly and simply, he connects really well with students and he genuinely cares. Time and again I am surprised by how he guides students to do their best - usually band 6. I couldn't recommend him enough - good luck Dave, hope you keep up the good work!